Dex Kwasi

Ghanaian rapper Dex Kwasi first landed on our radar with the outstanding, tongue-in-cheek trap anthem “Africa (Trappin’)” featuring Wanlov. Since then, he’s released tracks with E.L and notable introspective music videos. For his latest single “You Mome,” Dex Kwasi teams up with Ghana’s hip-hop top guy Sarkodie for a song that flips a frequently used Ghanaian phrase into one of Dex’s signature ‘Afro-trap’ productions.

“‘You Mome’ means ‘You Rather’,” Dex Kwasi writes to Okayafrica in an e-mail. “So, for example, the correct usage will be if someone says ‘Hey Dex, you get all the girls,’ knowing I actually do not, especially when the person telling me this actually has all the girls my response would be ‘You Mome that has all the girls.’”

“[The song] came about one day I was in Accra with E.L. and Stargo riding around and went to my boys crib… to have a light smoke session at the Slab in Osu. One of my friends Ebo spoke highly about my ability to pull girls easily and I responded with ‘You Mome,’ the next thing u know it was echoed in a melodic way by Ebo, E.L. and Stargo, I happened to keep the chant going and had my iPad right with me so I sampled our vocals directly onto the iPad for later use. I got home made the beat with my Afro-Trap sound which is heavily influenced by 808s and African drums like the Kanye 808s & Heartbreak album [then] kept it for a week for a collab between me, EL and Stargo.”

“But one late possibly intoxicated night a week later I decided to reach out to Magnom (Sarkodie’s producer) about possibly doing a feature with Sark (I may have begged) so I sent that song with my verse already on it. Within 6 hours that verse was sent back to me and the rest was history. Sark went on to even big me up on social media as one of the best artists he has heard and fresh sound for Ghana that everybody needed to take notice of. It is definitely one of those national Ghanaian phrases everybody uses regularly so that’s why it was probably that easy to make.”

Stream Dex Kwasi and Sakodie’s “You Mome,” premiering with us below. - okayafrica

Dex Kwasi blends hip-hop, tribal, and acoustic overtones to form a sound he likes to call “Afro-Trap.” The dude is all over the place influence-wise, and thankfully it works in his favour. We have no idea what to expect when he performs this Friday, but it will likely end in him some new fans for this traveling talent. - Complex

Ghanaian pidgin trap rapper and FOKN Bois collaborator Dex Kwasi made his album debut back in May with African Sex Symbol, which included the Wanlov-featuring “Africa (Trappin)” and the more introspective “WTFDex.” Born in Dallas and raised between Ghana, Chicago and Oklahoma City, Dex is currently based in Accra and readying his next project, the Afro-Trap EP. For the first single off the release, Dex teams with Ghanaian powerhouse pidgin emcee E.L. on the azonto-ridden “Boom Bye Bye.” Produced by Kuvie, the track matches Dex’s cool-toned and satirical flow with E.L.’s effortless word game on top of a mid-tempo drum beat. Listen to “Boom Bye Bye” below. For more, follow the self-proclaimed African Sex Symbol Dex Kwasi on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Soundcloud. - okayafrica

Dex Kwasi is from Oklahoma City/Ghana and based in Los Angeles, and he draws from styles ranging from afro-pop to European house, but "Poke Out" is a pretty straightforward rap song, but one that is so immediately striking that it's already got us digging through Dex's Soundcloud to find more. He's been around and making music for a while, but this is the kind of song that could easily trigger a rapid ascent. - Pigeons & Planes

Ghanaian wordsmith Dex Kwasi has dropped the bonus cut off his upcoming album A.$.S. : African $ex Symbol. As Dex explained to me, there are two specific meanings within the "4:19 in East Legon" title. First, 4:19 is not only a time, but also a slang term for African internet scams popularized by West African countries like Ghana. The second meaning deals with the East Legon bit, which happens to be Dex's childhood neighborhood in Accra, Ghana.

Over a DJ Mr Rogers (Curren$y, Slim Thug, Big K.R.I.T) co-produced beat that begins with an eerie trap vibe that later transitions to an early morning mellow trap feel, Dex connects experiences that deal with the stress and paranoia of illegal money, his faith in a higher power, and his addiction to liquor and drugs. Dex will continue to release new tracks and visuals in the lead up to African $ex Symbol. In the meantime, check out "4:19 in East Legon" and Dex's single "Poke Out". - Ear Milk

Los Angeles-based rapper Dex Kwasi (from Oklahoma City/Ghana) describes his music as a combination of hip-hop, afrobeat, trap, UK/South African house, and live instrumentation, but “Poke” out is pretty much straight hip-hop with the kind of loop that will have you humming that melody for the rest of the day after one listen. It’s the kind of loop that sounds like it belongs in an early 2000s underground track, but Dex flips it into something a little more fit for a party with some trap hi-hats and potent verses that rely more on style and charisma than content.

Hear more from Dex on Soundcloud, and look out for his confidently titled album, Album of the Year in 2014. - Pigeons & Planes

Fresh off the release of his debut LP, A.$.S: African Sex Symbol, Ghanaian rapper Dex Kwasi wastes no time in delivering a video for “Africa (Trappin’).” Repping Ghana via Oklahoma City, the L.A.-based emcee enlists the help of his homies the FOKN Bois as M3NSA opens the video with a stripped down snippet of “One Day,” a smoother cut off Kwasi’s A.$.S record. Wanlov meanwhile, who contributes a stellar verse, pulls double duty as video director. Foregoing the ubiquitous crew shots and material excess present in most trap music videos, Dex Kwasi’s posse consists of unbothered street vendors, kids and “a white bitch from South Africa” while a quick cameo from Sister Debbie rounds out the tongue-in-cheek video. Watch Dex Kwasi and the Kubolor Christ hit the streets of Accra in the video for the Loud Noyz produced banger below. - okayafrica

Less than a month after dropping the video for “Africa (Trappin’),” Ghanaian rapper Dex Kwasi returns with some new visuals from his debut LP. ‘WTFDex’ is a nod to classic hip-hop that finds Kwasi adopting an Andre 3000-esque flow as he waxes poetic about his own mortality over a slow burning N-Dex-produced beat. The African $ex Symbol honors his afrobeat influences as well towards the end of the track with a percussive interlude that features a soundbite of Fela Kuti sharing his views on religion from the 1982 documentary Music is The Weapon. The hazy video, which follows a pensive Kwasi, begins with a humorous news clip of a junior high school student whose confident assertion to ‘burn the paper’ is quickly flipped into an activity of a more herbal nature by Dex Kwasi and his lone co-star. Watch the video for “WTFDex” below and stream African $ex Symbol on soundcloud. - okayafrica

While there’s a lot to like about the eclectic sounds sprinkled throughout Dex Kwasi’s latest project A.$.S.: African $ex Symbol, his duet with Doughbeezy might just be the highlight.

Laced with guitar-laden vibes and a reclined R&B hook, “No Complaints” is a mellow reminder that things could be worse and is best served with a sunset-soaked, windows-downs stroll. The vibe is so proper, the Ghana-born MC comes back with even more impassioned bars after the song ends, over a completely different smooth groove.

To hear this unquestionably fresh cut and the rest of Dex’s unique vibes, stream on Soundcloud below, then head to iTunes and support the African $ex Symbol. - The Smoking Section

With a sound that comes across as The Chordettes meets Juicy J, most will appreciate the playful nature of Dex Kwasi’s “Poke Out.” Far from prolific lyrically, this intoxicated video from the OKC-bred MC’s upcoming African $ex Symbol project showcases a flat out fun record that leaves listeners bobbing along like the rumps in question and should pass your initial vibe test with flying colors.

You guys do like to have fun, right? - The Smoking Section

Occasionally, when I catch myself surrounded by beautiful Brazilian women, I’m reminded that the skinny models on TV really aren’t all that. Truth be told, I just want a girl that can let that thang Poke Out. Rest assured, I’m not the only one who feels this way. Take Dex Kwasi, who has dropped off a new single that lets the girls know it’s OK to go ahead shake it while taking pics with ya girls. Produced by N-Dex (Dex’s production alter ego) and KRYZ, Poke Out features percussion that’d go well on any trap beat, as well as a haunting, yet catchy sample that together provide the roller rink that Dex’s vocals skate on. During the song’s official visuals, directed by Jimi Wonder and Vafa Taj, Dex doesn’t seem to be letting loose like everyone else, but there are several girls shaking their tailfeathers for the camera. Poke Out is Dex’s first single from his upcoming African $ex Symbol project, due out soon. - DJ Booth

Regardless of what you let poke out, be sure to forget all your worries as you vibe to Dex’s new anthem for your weekend. The beat reminds me of a more pleasant twist on Clockwork Orange‘s theme song. - The Source

“Yo block is hot but not like (Africa)”

Dex Kwasi keeps pumpin’ out material from A.$.S. by dropping the fourth visual from the project, “Africa (Trappin’),” filmed in Accra, Ghana. And, it’s most likely not what you expect, neither the song nor the video. In fact, it’s a nice break from the usual trappings of rap clips. - The Smoking Section

The Oklahoma City Thunder are making hella noise with their performance in this year’s NBA Playoffs. OKC/Dallas native Dex (formerly known as N-Dex) is looking to duplicate that ruckus by putting his city on the hip-hop map with his new joint, “Loud City” (which actually doubles as the nickname of the Thunder’s home arena). Press play and enjoy this loud. - The Source

Oaklahoma City's Dex is making more than a name for himself recently and with this J-Mal produced track of zoned-out bliss , this trend is only gonna continue. Dope visuals from Jimi Wonder too. - Southern Hospitality

Hailing from the city housing one of the most popular teams in the NBA, Oklahoma City rapper, Dex (formerly N-Dex), is looking to make himself a household name in the city alongside Durant, Westbrook and Harden. The video for “Loud City” appropriately has two meanings with one being the nickname for the Chesapeake Energy Arena and the other being an ode to the loud packs everybody claims to blow down.

While I’m not a huge fan of rhyme scheme (I can’t put my finger on it, but it does sound familiar), since countless people actually blow it down while watching sports, the marriage between the two tends to make sense here. - The Smoking Section

On Smash features Dex Owusu's "Lab Rats" music video. - On Smash

Rappers have been referring to the studio as the lab for years, but in Dex’ case, I’m not so sure he’s talking about making music when he says he and his people are Lab Rats. Whatever else the OKC representer is cooking up, he’s also managing to turn out new videos. The formula for Rats takes one part scientifically calculated beat from Billionaire Boy$cout, adds in one part mad scientist rhymes (”All the gangsters is geeks / made a new pill, and I call it Dexstasy”), shakes and stirs vigorously, resulting in a rap potion that, frankly, I don’t believe is FDA improved. To taste more of what Dex is cooking up keep an eye and ear out for his upcoming project Moves, which is still awaiting a solid release date. - DJ Booth

After his turning up the volume with his ode to the OKC Thunder, "Loud City," buzzing Oklahoma representatitive Dex gets his mad scientist on in a new video for "Lab Rats." The self-proclaimed "superstar in the hooka bar" shows even cats like Bill Nye the science guy can get it poppin' with some dance moves with a quirky instrumental that contains some bumpin ingredients.

- Nate Santos (@MidtownNate) - The Source

Rocking mics, smoking on that Mary Jane, messaging fly honeys on Facebook, eating inordinate amounts of shrimp… yes, life is good when you’re Booth newcomer Dex. On his latest promo single, Cardo serves up a fittingly breezy instrumental as the Dallas-residing newcomer lets us know just how content he’s feeling. Grind emcee Doughbeezy contributes a confident guest verse, and Justyn ties it all together with some smooth hook vocals. This joint is off Dex’ upcoming Circle X mixtape;. Anxious fans can rest assured, we’ll keep you supplied with all the latest from this Southern spitter. - DJ Booth

Tales of scorned lovers often echo from the estrogenic side of things, but guys get burnt too. N-Dex and Kayai split minutes on “Already,” breaking down every aspect of pissed off that they’ve felt at the hands of an incredulous vixen. The track aptly divides into a mix of R&B and Hip Hop without seeming more like one than the other. It’s catchy but, more importantly, it’s raw. Dex and Kayai bring an unfiltered freshness to subject matter that would otherwise immediately seep staleness.

“Already” is one of 17 tracks from N-Dex and Rapid Ric’s Ultra O.D. The cover art for this joint is an eye-catcher, borrowing from an Italian plummer who recently got his GTA on. Take a listen to the free, full project on N-Dex’s Bandcamp. - The Smoking Section